Developers Tim Harrison and Jeremy Fogel presented a detailed plan for the proposed Hamilton Crossings shopping complex in Lower Macungie and addressed common misconceptions during a community meeting at Muhlenberg College Feb. 10.

County Executive Tom Muller said he hosted the meeting to clarify what the project is and will look like. Muller told the audience he is in favor of Tax Incentive Financing for the $140 million proposed shopping center complex. The complex, to be located on 63 acres, would include Costco, Target and Whole Foods stores, along with a host of other retailers, not yet named.

Muller said he supports the shopping center complex because of the prospect of creating greater economic opportunities in the area.

"To me, it's simple," he said. "This is about jobs. We still need jobs. There are a lot of people out there who don't have them." According to Muller, the site would provide 495 construction jobs and 830 retail jobs.

Harrison said public opinion indicates citizens are in favor of building the shopping complex.

"Our own research shows us that the vast majority of the residents of Lehigh County want this project," he said. "They're excited about these tenants coming. They're excited about the jobs." Harrison noted the shopping complex will not mirror The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley shopping center in Upper Saucon Township.

"This is a big box shopping center," Harrison said. "It's got a Costco with 150,000 square feet and Target with 135,000 square feet. You don't see stores of that size at the Promenade." Harrison emphasized a challenge in developing the site is the land has 26 feet of mine wash material lodged in the soil due to iron ore mining which took place during the 19th century. Clearing the area of the material will cost taxpayers $12.5 million as TIF funding cannot be used for the cleanup project.

Harrison also noted if the TIF is approved, the county, township and East Penn School District will save 50 percent in increased property taxes due to taxes generated by shopping complex businesses. The shopping complex, according to Harrison, will generate $132,000 in tax revenue every year and the East Penn School District will receive over $571,000 each year, for 20 years.

"This is an investment of tax money that doesn't exist today," he said.

Harrison also said the site will include extensive walking and biking trails explaining the history of the site, enhanced landscaping and proportional signage.

"The renderings that we showed you are not fiction; it's what we're going to do," Harrison said.

Fogel said Lower Macungie is a prime location for the shopping complex due to the growing economic strength and education of the residents.

"This site is uniquely attractive to retailers," he said. "Demographically, it is a strong market that is growing."

Fogel also said Target only engages in so many land acquisition deals per year. For instance, Fogel said last year Target opened up 12 new stores across the country and closed 10.

Also during the meeting, Harrison and Fogel dispelled 12 common public misconceptions surrounding the proposed shopping complex including the TIF is not a tax break, the project will not be able to pay for itself without a TIF; if the TIF is not approved, potential tenants will not locate elsewhere in the Lehigh Valley, but out of state; taxes will not increase due to the TIF; the TIF will not allow the government to play favorites; TIF financing is not just for blighted urban areas; the TIF will not unjustly enrich the landowner; the TIF is needed to fund the project; the county will benefit from the TIF; and Cedar Realty, the developer, will not develop the site without a TIF.

"It's going to be a very nice shopping complex," Harrison added. "It's not my vision. This is a shared vision. I think Lehigh County will hopefully realize it will gain from this development."